ITHACA, N.Y. — John Smith, who helped guide Stanford to the 2015 NCAA title as the program's associate head coach, has been appointed as the head coach of Cornell University men's soccer it was announced today by Andy Noel, the Meakem*Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education.
 
"I would like to thank the Cornell University Director of Athletics Andy Noel, Associate Director of Athletics Matthew Coats and the whole search committee for this wonderful opportunity," said Smith. "Attempting to do justice to the level of excitement I have would require way more than a few short sentences. Needless to say, I am both thrilled and honored to be named the head men's soccer coach at Cornell University. I will be eternally grateful for the amazing journey I was fortunate to be a part of at Stanford learning from an incredible head coach in Jeremy Gunn, and spending time with an outstanding bunch of guys. I look forward to a new journey with Cornell men's soccer team."

In 2015, his fourth season with the program and second as associate head coach, Smith helped lead the Cardinal to its first national title in program history, with Stanford defeating Clemson, 4-0, marking the most goals scored in an NCAA final since 1996 and the largest margin of victory since 1975. In 2015 alone, Smith coached two first-team All-Americans, a program-record five All-Far West Regional selections, the Hermann Award winner, a second-team Senior CLASS selection, four Major League Soccer draft picks and two U.S. Men's National Team players. He helped lead the program to an 18-2-3 record in 2015, the team's most wins since 2002, and a 7-1-2 mark in conference play, setting a program record for Pac-12 wins.
 
"I am very excited for our players and overall program that such an accomplished coach and mentor has accepted our offer to lead the Big Red," said Noel. "It was not an easy decision for John to leave Stanford's NCAA championship team. However, he is equally excited to invest his considerable talents in our players. "
In 2014, Smith was named NSCAA Far West Region Assistant Coach of the Year as the Cardinal claimed its first Pac-12 Championship since 2001 and went 13-3-3.
 
Working primarily with Stanford's strikers, Smith helped Jordan Morris develop into one of the nation's best, with Morris becoming a two-time All-American, the 2015 Hermann Award Winner, an MLS signee and the first active college player to receive a cap for the U.S. Men's National Team since 1995. In 2012, Smith's first year with the program, he worked with Adam Jahn, who went on to have a career year, leading the Pac-12 with 13 goals, the most from a Stanford player since 2001. Jahn was then drafted into the MLS.
 
Smith has also had success in recruiting, bringing the nation's sixth-best recruiting class to Stanford in 2014, according to College Soccer News. His 2015 and 2013 classes were both ranked 11th in the country. Those players helped Stanford amass a 50-20-11 record during his time there.
 
Before Stanford, Smith spent six seasons as head coach of Division II power Incarnate Word, where he amassed a 62-26-10 record and won three consecutive Heartland Conference Championships and three straight Coach of the Year awards. He coached four All-Americans, five Academic All-Americans and three future professional players.
 
Smith took his first coaching job at CSU Bakersfield, serving as an assistant and helping the Roadrunners to a California Collegiate Athletic Association title and two postseason appearances. The team produced four All-Americans and six future professionals in Smith's time with the program.
 
As a player, Smith was a member of Wigan Athletic Football Club's first team at age 16. He spent three years with Wigan before moving to Oldham Athletic Football Club, which was in England's top division at the time. In his lone season with Oldham FC, the team advanced to the semifinals of the FA Cup and the League Cup.
 
Smith came to the United States for college, playing at Rollins, where he was a two-time All-American and broke a 26-year-old program record for points with 142 on 50 goals and 42 assists. Smith was named the 1996 Sunshine State Scholar-Athlete of the Year and was inducted into the conference hall of fame in 2004.
 
In 1997, Smith was selected 13th overall in the MLS draft by the Columbus Crew. He spent two seasons in the A-League representing the Nashville Metros, Rochester Rhinos and Hershey Wildcats. He led Nashville in points, earning an All-A League Second Team nod and helping the team to a Central Division title.
 
A native of Manchester, England, Smith holds a bachelor's degree in history from Rollins College and a master's in curriculum and instruction from CSU Bakersfield. He and his wife Julie have two sons, Isaac and Jacob.